Presenters

Carrie Cole                                                                                           

One of Carrie's greatest strengths is her ability to communicate and demonstrate how to put the latest research into action in the “real world” classroom. She is a contributing author to the Teaching Reading Sourcebook (2nd Ed.), working for over two years on this project from conception to publication.  This was a thought-provoking experience that allowed her the time to pour over the recent published research and then work with an amazing team to develop a thorough but concise graphic explanation of research-based content and best practices in reading instruction. Specifically, Carrie's experience with “real world” implementation issues gave her the background needed to work on several of the book’s lesson models, providing a bridge between the research and classroom.

Currently, much of Carrie's work consists of writing and delivering on-site professional development at the school, district, and state levels that is centered around fundamental knowledge in effective research-based reading instructional practices, based on the latest reading and writing research, with explicit connections to the Common Core Standards.  Her biggest strength lies in working side-by-side with teachers to bridge the research to practice gap, bringing these research-based instructional strategies to the classroom in a very real way.

Stephanie Lester

Stephanie Lester has over 35 years in education including: teaching preschool and a Project-Based Learning Multiage K-1st program, professional development speaker, author, Assistant

Principal, Early Childhood Education Director, and Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment.

Currently Stephanie partners with school communities as an Educational Consultant focusing on providing literacy support aligned with the science of reading, as well as professional development training on a variety of topics. Stephanie believes that children learn best when they are excited, engaged, and experiencing success in the learning environment. Stephanie has published two books: Year-Round Project-Based Activities for STEM and Science Through the Year. Stephanie is passionate about inspiring, educating, and motivating teachers to implement evidence-based instructional practices with the goal of developing the social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills that children will need to experience SUCCESS as 21st Century learners.

When Stephanie isn’t exploring with her grandchildren, you will find her creating hands-on STEM activities, presenting workshops on a variety of topics, and consulting with teachers throughout the country. Stephanie Lester holds a MA degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, an Administrative Credential, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a CLAD Certification, CLASS certification, and a Program Director Child Development permit. 

Dr Eliza Thomas

Eliza Thomas is a proud Montana educator educated in Wolf Point, Montana K-12, and the University of Montana, Missoula (Bachelors in Elementary Education, Administrative Endorsement and a EdD in Literacy) She  has dedicated her  life to teaching and learning and she loves to share her passion and expertise with others. No matter where she has worked, from the small rural multiage classroom where she began her career, to the specialist classrooms in the capital of Bangladesh, to the community college campus, she thrives when working to support student success. During the last twenty-six years, her career spans from early childhood education to higher education and all areas in between.  She has worked in all content areas and speciality areas as well as with school leadership. Running an educational curriculum cooperative for twenty-six districts over ten years was a highlight of her career and gave her a vast and varied skill set in planning and preparing for learning, creating an environment for learning, assessing for learning, and developing professionalism. Currently, she’s a full time, tenured,  faculty member and division chair at Flathead Valley Community College developing future teachers. In her spare time, she consults with districts across Montana and the United States.  She holds a Master’s degree in multicultural, bilingual, and ESL education and a Doctoral degree in Literacy. She’s authored several teacher math resource books including Math Play and Times Up on Timed Tests (co-authored). Currently, she resides in Northwest Montana with her mom, husband, two bonus-daughters, and two fur babies.  When she’s not teaching and learning, she enjoys the great outdoors in her “glamper”(glamor camper) and creative endeavors involving pens and paint in her “croffice” (creative office).

Wayne Callender

Wayne Callender is an author and national RTI Consultant who has worked at the State, district and building levels improving educational outcomes. Wayne currently trains and advises educators across the country in the implementation of systems for school improvement, both on-site and through nationwide seminars. In addition to being featured as keynote speaker at over a dozen state and national conferences, Wayne has authored numerous articles, chapters and training books on the implementation of a School-Wide Approach to RTI and improved instructional practices. 

Kristin Van Marter Sours 

For over three decades, Kristin Van Marter Souers, MA LMHC, has dedicated herself to the improvement of people’s lives. As a licensed mental health counselor with a history of working in the fields of early learning, law enforcement, education, and mental health, she has been able to develop an extensive knowledge base.

As an independent consultant, Kristin now provides critical professional development, consultation, education, and training services to schools, school districts, businesses, and other organizations throughout the country. She has presented to thousands of audiences, keynoted at several conferences, facilitated group learning, supervised internships, directed programs, been an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University in their Masters in Counseling Program as well as other universities, and has supported the learning and growth of countless educators, caregiving professionals, and other individuals.

Tanya Peshovich

Tanya Peshovich is passionate about working with educators to successfully implement evidence-based literacy practices and tiered systems of support based on the Science of Reading--all to ensure children receive a high-quality, rigorous education. She holds a Master's degree in curriculum, instruction, and innovation and is known for providing professional development that arms teachers with the what, why, and how of evidence-based literacy practices. As a former classroom teacher and literacy coach, she is able to help teachers bridge the research-to-practice gap, allowing them to successfully apply new practices in their classrooms. She is Orton--Gillingham trained and tutors children diagnosed with dyslexia, while also supporting various school districts in Montana in the work of building systems of support for students at the district, school, and classroom levels to ultimately increase student outcomes. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two daughters. 

Joe Moriarity

Joe Moriarty began his career in public education in Shelby, Mt. in the fall of 1982, and 42 years later his passion for the vocation has not waned as he continues to contribute to the profession in a variety of ways.  Joe worked in the Bozeman School District for 23 years as a middle school math teacher, and ultimately assistant principal of Sacajawea Middle School. In addition to his classroom and administrative duties, Joe was actively involved with the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, an instructor of Traffic Education, and coached a variety of sports including; tennis, football and basketball.

 Mr. Moriarty retired from the Bozeman School District in June of 2012, but has continued in public education working as an adjunct professor at MSU, tutoring, public speaking, and educational consulting with the Office of Public instruction. As an Assistant Principal he was very much involved in student leadership and MBI Youth Days.  He continues to promote that work in the area of student voice. Joe is currently an MTSS coach / consultant, speaker, and trainer.  His trainings include CICO, Check and Connect, Brain Based Principles, Memory Recapture, and Stress Management.  Joe is honored to be presenting “The Great 8” with his beloved colleague Keith Hoyer 

Keith Hoyer 

Keith has taught high school students about business for 31 years with 28 of them at his alma mater Belt High School.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from the University of Montana-Western and a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from the University of Montana.  Keith is lucky enough to live in Belt with his beautiful wife Heather.  He is an MTSS coach/presenter and co-chairs the MTSS program in the Belt School District.  He is the high school Yearbook/Media/Youth Leadership/Senior class Advisor.  As the DECA Advisor, Keith has taken students to the International DECA competition fifteen consecutive years placing several teams in the top 10 in the World and having over 60 teams place in the top 10% of the World.  Keith is most proud to successfully start a Youth Leadership group that has prospered at Belt School.  Students are given an opportunity to succeed and with a focus on student voice, they have passed a law, started a wellness center and have increased awareness of social issues affecting the school, community and state. His students have won the PBIS National Video of the year and been a finalist several years. Keith is fond of saying “Living the dream” and truly believes it when working with MTSS and students.